The holidays are a wonderful time for connecting with family and friends. Since the 1840s, many have sent greetings to loved ones with Christmas cards expressing sentiments of good tidings for the holiday season and happiness for the upcoming year. Sometimes in the card the sender jots a short line or two or includes a letter. In the past 25 years, with the popularity of computers, the letters have become typed and printed on festive paper, allowing the writer to produce many copies with the same content. Occasionally these form letters are sent in place of the typical greeting card.
Before the advent of technology, people sent hand-written letters more often to loved ones who lived far away. For some the Christmas card might have been the one time in the year they communicated with each. Each note or letter was tailored to its recipient and might not have been as long or detailed about events. But these letters—from long ago or more recent, long or short—are of interest to a family genealogist.
Whether I see people regularly, or I haven’t seen someone in a long time, I like partaking in the tradition of sending holiday greetings to them. It’s a special time of year to let family and friends know I am thinking about them. In turn, I also enjoy receiving a card with a short note, a letter, or even a photograph. It’s delightful in the season of celebration to connect with the exceptional people in my life, especially with those whom I haven’t seen in a while or my genealogy researching cousins I’ve only met through correspondence.
Several years ago a second cousin who had some family letters, gave me a photocopy of one written by Eden Ludwick in December 1935 before the holidays. Eden, brother of my great grandfather Alpheus, wrote to Alpheus’ widow. The train ride back to Cape May that Eden mentioned could have been from his trip for Alpheus’ funeral, which had taken place a few months before. Although his letter is simple, its details give insight into Eden’s personality and some events in his life.
As Eden says in his letter below, “Wishing you folks a cheerful and happy Christmas.” And may you also have a very happy and healthy 2018.
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